Can't delete file after rename/save as

[LurfysMa]

So I am going about converting my .doc files to .docx files. (I don't
know the compelling logic behind the change of extension, but it has
definitely been a big productivity boost for me.)

I load a .doc file and "Save as" ,docx. Now I have 2 files with the
same name and a different extension.

Since I opened it from Explorer, I just Alt-Tab back and try to delete
the old one. But it won't let me do that. Even thogh Word is no longer
editing the old one, the error message says that it is. I have to
close the new one before I can delete the old one.

Do these guys do any testing at all?

Is there a utility that will convert all of the docs in a folder to
the new format and erase the old ones?

I tried just renaming it, but then Word is too stupid to load it. Too
simple and obvious, I guess.

Anyone have a better method? I have several thousand to do.

I am actually starting to like at least some of the new features, but
the migration plan is a disaster. Arrogance or stupidity.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

I've seen something similar to that in the past - as in before 2007. Any
time you do a Save As, you have to close the new file before you can delete
the old one.


--

JoAnn Paules
Microsoft MVP - Publisher

How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Terry Farrell]

I think this has something to do with a Word generated temp locking file
that isn't removed until Word is closed. It's a nightmare!

What happens if you deliberately select Open as a Copy and then save as a
docx?

Perhaps as a workaround, you open up from the current folder and SaveAs to a
docx into a different folder. The when the task is complete, you go back and
rename the old doc folder and then rename the new docx folder to the same
name as the old folder? (I hope that's clear!)

Terry

 

[LurfysMa]

I've seen something similar to that in the past - as in before 2007. Any
time you do a Save As, you have to close the new file before you can delete
the old one.

Are you saying that this doesn't happen to everyone?

If you open a document and save it as some other document, are you
able to delete the original while you still have the renamed one open?

 

[LurfysMa]

I think this has something to do with a Word generated temp locking file
that isn't removed until Word is closed. It's a nightmare!

I bet you are right. Word has lots of problems with those temp files
being left all over the place.

If Word were a house guest, it would leave wet towels on the bed and
empty beer cans all over the house. I guess it's mommy never taught it
how to clean up after itself.

It's probably because of it's "privileged" upbringing. Word is just a
spoiled rich kid. It goes around doing whatever it wants to because it
can -- like Paris Hilton. Can we get it sent to jail for 45 days?

What happens if you deliberately select Open as a Copy

How do I do that?

and then save as a docx?

Perhaps as a workaround, you open up from the current folder and SaveAs to a
docx into a different folder. The when the task is complete, you go back and
rename the old doc folder and then rename the new docx folder to the same
name as the old folder? (I hope that's clear!)

Sure, I can do all sorts of things to avoid the problem, but they all
require extra work. I just want to rename/convert in place.

Probably the best solution is to create an "Old" folder. Move the .doc
files there, open them, and then save them to the original folder as
..docx. I can see all kinds or errors occurring as a result of that
procedure.

I guess this is just one more little joy from M$FT.

PS: I am no longer worried about them talking over the world. They are
too inept to even take over the turf they already own. Go Google --
until they get huge and arrogant (already happening).

Terry

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

It seems to vary by version. I can recall in some previous versions that if
I opened Document A and saved it as Document B, I then couldn't delete
Document A as long as Document B was open because the "owner" file
(~$filename.doc) created when I opened Document A was not deleted till I
closed Document B. In Word 2003, although the owner file remains open, I can
delete or rename or move or otherwise deal with Document A without closing
Document B.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

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